How to apply to the Veterans Hearing Fund

The Veterans Hearing Fund (VHF) provides support to veterans who acquired hearing loss during Service. It is open to those who have a wellbeing need that cannot be met through statutory services (such as the NHS). VHF may fund hearing aids, peripherals or therapies (e.g. lip reading).

How to apply - stage one

Contact Chime to open a case and to discuss how to improve your hearing with one of our audiologists.

Call: 01392 953060
Email: chc.exeter@chimehealth.co.uk
Or visit us at: Chime Hearing Centre
Unit 16 Harlequins Shopping Centre
Paul Street
Exeter
Devon
EX4 3TT

Our team will be able to guide you through the rest of the process:

In order for the Legion to determine whether hearing loss was acquired during Service, veterans who would like to apply to the programme must submit the following documents:

A copy of their Service medical records, which must include audiometry data.

Applicants who do not have a copy of their Service Medical records must complete a Subject Access Request form and submit it to the appropriate Service Records Office (addresses are listed in part 2 of the form).

To obtain the required audiometry data, applicants must state 'Service audiometry records' in part 3 of the Subject Access Request form.

To request this form by post, please email medicalfunds@britishlegion.org.uk or call their Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080. Once applicants receive a copy of their Service medical records, a copy should be sent to the address below along with a completed VHF eligibility application form.

Veterans Hearing Fund
The Royal British Legion
199 Borough High Street
London SE1 1AA

If applicants receive a copy of their Service medical records and audiometry records are not available, they will receive confirmation from the MOD that states this. In such cases, applicants should complete the VHF eligibility application form and return to the address above, including a copy of confirmation from the MOD that audiometry records were unavailable.

Please note: If the applicant is in receipt of a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Award and this was awarded due to hearing difficulties then they can submit a copy of their documentation confirming this in lieu of Service medical records.

How to apply - stage two

One of our audiologists will complete and submit the form for the second stage of the application process. They will agree with the applicant what equipment or treatments would help improve their quality of life. Please note that VHF will not replace statutory support - it adds to it. Further information on stage two of the application process will be provided to applicants upon successful completion of stage one.

For questions relating to the Veterans Hearing Fund you are able to contact the Legion's Grants Team by emailing medicalfunds@britishlegion.org.uk or call their Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080.